Hughes and Martell Howard Hughes and Tina Martell check out the awards (Photo Nathan Tsukroff)

Dave and Karen Eldridge ran the satellite snack shack at the Middle School.

Also helping: Cindy Kimpel, Judy Ripley, Joan Hodgdon, Rick and Nordica Danieli, Pam Hartig, Shannon Klar, Jenny Sherwood, Rick Licht, Dean Miklovich, Brandon Ryan, Jeff & Brian Larocque, Eric Mason, Hans Nielson, David and Ben Miklovich, Brittany Randall, Hannah Coons, Molly Mooney, Aaron Ricardi, Julie Pelletier, Josh Lavasseur, Kendall Davis, Evan Kenny, Nicole Ritter, Eric Schrader, Nicole Ritter, Nate Rowe and Zeth Horr.

There are four people who go above and beyond, and this wouldn't happen if I didn't have LOTS of help from them. They are Ann Ryan, Deb Valenti, Mark Pollard and Lonnie Humphrey. They help me get ready for this event. Ann, Deb and Mark worked both days all day long with me. I can't thank them enough!

*Sidenote: Robbie was at the Snack Shack for over 12 hours Saturday and Sunday and picking up supplies late Saturday to make sure this operation went smoothly and that no supplies ran short. Her dedication to supporting the student athletes is unbelievable.

Message from Mike Kane, Tournament Director

"It has been a great weekend and everybody involved has commented on the wonderful experience working together for the Crossroad Challenge has been. The key to a successful tournament is the parents and club members stepping up and forward. We have all become better aquainted and had a lot of fun. Thank you to all involved."

Message from Tony Ward, President Patriot Soccer Club

This is not the biggest soccer tournament held on Columbus Day weekend but it is definitely our largest and BEST attended in seven years. We are very fortunate with the weather and high calibar of teams that came from around the state and New Hampshire.

Our large volunteer base has supported all aspects of the tournament and the key to the wonderful comments heard around the complex today. This has also afforded many kids a way to promote community service and take pride in their school.

We represent the community, club and school and strive for a positive experience. We hope all this years teams will join us next year. We had several teams that were interested in joining us this year but we are limited to available fields.

Next week we will celebrate the success of this year and discuss how to improve and then start plans for the 8th annual Patriot Crossroad Challenge. Thanks again to all our sponsors, supporters, parents, players and volunteers. Take pride in a job well done.

Crowds were welcomed-and wowed!

A perfect storm of excellent weather, top field conditions, energized youth, supportive parents and a dedicated well organized group of tournament directors and volunteers contributed to the Biggest and Best Crossroad Challenge ever held by the Patriot Soccer Club. Across the complex of athletic fields the positive comments echoed:

Windham U-13 Girls fans - This is our first year at this tournament and everything has been smooth, it's close to home, well organized, a great sports environment, directions to the game fields were clear and parking is good.

South Portland U-14 Girls fans - The entrance to the tournament was amazing. We received calls on our cell phones from team parents ahead of us to follow the soccer-clad scarecrows, pumpkin soccer balls and American flags once we hit Gray. The expectations were elevated before we hit the playing fields. Great facilities which encouraged us to stay at the fields or in town between games.

Hudson, NH U-12 Girls fans - Great fun, well run, love the scarecrow decorations and the attention to details (directions, parking, ease of registration, concessions) and great weather combines for an outstanding weekend.

Freeport United U10 Boys - So much fun, organized, great refs, sportsmanship is highlighted, the games are on time, and the experience is so positive for soccer lovers.

Hampden Broncos gave accolades to the host of such a fun filled tournament. The best they had ever attended, awesome welcome with decorations, great services, they were undefeated after two games and enjoying the weather and refreshments before their third game. The girls were disappointed the 2006 tTshirts had sold out so quickly as they all wanted the memory of their weekend. The parents noted this just showed how successful the event was with its large crowds.

Winslow parents noted at registration that they look forward to and really enjoy the Patriot Challenge. The excitement builds as they come into town and they can see the dedication of the Patriot Club organization to welcome visitors. Each year the scarecrows, soccer pumpkins greet them along with the Columbus Day reminder of American flags. Gray is small town USA in its glory. Very cool!

Spectator and former G-NG Soccer Club, G-NG High and college soccer player, Neil Carroll noted, "We are lucky with such fantastic weather, we have the best field conditions which enables more fun and safe play. No other event held in Gray brings 6000+ into our community for a weekend. Our town and schools are highlighted, as most in attendance are visitors and many for the first time. This is a huge event and very positive for kids. Kudos to the Patriot Soccer Club for hosting such a successful tournament."

Joey Carroll, G-NG Rescue stated, "This is a very positive event for our community. Each year it gets bigger and better, great exposure for youth soccer and generates income into town."

U-12 Patriot girls Kristin, Julia M, Taylor, Michele, Julia R, Lucy, Sam and Alex were having fun, very giggly and proud of their team play and of their parents, who worked so hard for weeks and were volunteering around the sports complex. The team received second place awards.

Proud grandparent from Oxford, South Carolina said this was the best-run tournament he had ever attended. It was soccer the way it should be-fun, fair and safe. A great family experience.

Nova team wanted to say that the tournament was run well, smooth, on time and it was evident the Patriot Club parents took pride in their community and club to carry off such a successful event with hundreds of spectators' needs and enjoyment in mind.

A group of referees at the end of Sunday thanked the volunteers in the statistician table for the best experience they had ever had at a tournament. "We really got more attention and care than usual. We were consistently supported with a Field Marshal at each game. If there was an injury you looked to the marshal and with walkie talkies the rescue was on the field. Sportsmanship medals were given to us to be handed out for one player per game, score cards were collected and we had water and refreshments throughout the day without leaving our fields. Unbelievable field support so we could just ref the games and stick to schedules."

Thanks to your sponsorships, donations and support the 2006 Patriot Crossroads Challenge was our largest and the Biggest and Best tournament ever held in Gray-New Gloucester. The Patriot Soccer Club could not pull off such an enormous project without the dedication and hard work of so many. Thank you for supporting the youth in our community.

Patriot Soccer Club Coaches

Patriot Soccer Club Team Administrators

All parents who support Patriot Soccer and their children

SoccerMaine

SAD 15

G-NG Athletic Boosters

G-NG Fire Department and Rescue

Sons of the Gray American Legion

Members of the Gray-New Gloucester Business Association

Registration Committee

TD BankNorth

Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Steve Langlais, Stantec Consulting Services

New England Lawn and Landscape

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hodges

Jeff Nelson and Paula Wood

Intervale Farms

Mark Pollard Electrical, Inc.

Spring Meadows

JT Hayman Electric

Dunkin' Donuts

Hanging By A Thread Embroidery

Promiseland Realty

Cole Farms

Planet Soccer

Pine Tree Networks

Floyd Wing Paving

George and Steve at SAD 15

We would also like to acknowledge all of the teams (Westbrook Soccer, Freeport United, Oxford County, South Portland Strikers, Novas, Windham YSA, Broncos TSC, Sacopee Valley, Winslow Travel Soccer, Merrymeeting SC, Hudson, NH United, Bulldogs United, Lake Region SC, Western Maine United, Patriot SC) that joined us at the Crossroads Challenge. THANK YOU!